IRONTON — A combination of a stagnant economy and aggressive marketing and recruitment has seen Ohio University Southern pass the 2,000 student enrollment mark for the 2009 fall quarter.

At 2,073 students, the nearly 14-percent increase in enrollment compared to the fall quarter of 2008 continues to show the upward progress OUS is making in reaching out to students both young and old, said Robert Pleasant, director of student services at the Ironton-campus.

“The increase in enrollment is very positive for both the university and the community,” Pleasant said. “We believe that people are realizing what a strong university they have in their community.”

Enrollment for the 2008 fall quarter was 1,831, according to figures provided by OUS.

One eye-opening statistic that Pleasant touched on was that 57 percent of OUS students are considered “non-traditional” students, meaning that they are age 24 and above or served in the military before attending college.

Pleasant said part of the enrollment increase did factor on the current economy and job market, but said much of the growth was due to OUS continuing its mission of highlighting themselves within the community on television, radio, in newspapers and on billboards.

The 2009 fall quarter started on Sept. 8 and ends on Nov. 25. The 2010 winter quarter starts on Jan. 4.